The City of Winnipeg has refused to let US Christian worship leader Sean Feucht have an outdoor concert in Central Park next month, saying the downtown park cannot safely handle the crowd his revival tour could draw.Feucht, a California musician who has tied his message to the Make America Great Again movement, had promoted an August 20 event as part of what he calls Canada’s “hour of awakening.” Posters circulating online urged Christians to fill the park and worship Jesus in the heart of the city..OLDCORN: Looney Tunes Rachel Gilmore rails against Conservative MPs defending Christian artist Sean Feucht.But on Tuesday, city staff told Burn 24-7, the worship network Feucht founded, that its permit application was rejected. A spokesperson said projecting attendance for a free event is “a challenge,” and the uncertainty makes it impossible to plan policing, medical coverage, and park maintenance.The written decision says Central Park’s narrow streets, limited parking, and limited washrooms leave “no practical way” to install a stage, speakers, merchandise booths, or emergency post without displacing regular users..Central Park is popular on hot summer days as it has a splash pad for children.City officials warned that squeezing in the 2,000 people organizers predicted would “detract from the service the park provides to area residents.”Emergency planners also raised red flags. .MAGA Christian artist Sean Feucht plans Alberta legislature concert, Senator calls it ‘hate’.Heavy foot traffic and extra vehicles, they said, could block fire trucks and ambulances trying to reach supportive housing buildings and personal care homes that are near the park and have frequent calls for help.The denial is the latest setback for Feucht’s tour. .Authorities in six eastern Canadian cities have cancelled or refused permits, citing similar “public safety” concerns. Community advocates had also pressed Winnipeg to stop the concert, due to Feucht speaking out against abortion rights and the 2SLGBTQ+ community risking importing “discriminatory rhetoric” into a “diverse neighbourhood.”Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said he understood why officials did not support putting a possibly large concert into a small park but felt staff could have steered organizers toward a larger venue. .Ontario Human Rights Tribunal dismissed Jessica Yaniv’s complaint against Canada Galaxy Pageants.“But I think the public service could have worked with organizers to explore more appropriate locations,” said Gillingham.On social media, he urged supporters to “keep praying and praising” as his team looks for an alternative Winnipeg site.
